Thomasville Rescue Squad dog dies after attack; second K-9 on the mend

Published: Monday, April 22, 2013 at 6:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 22, 2013 at 6:08 p.m.

A Thomasville Rescue Squad search and rescue dog died Monday and another one is on the mend after unrelated incidences occurred this past week.

Facts

Want to help?

Residents can help with the medical costs for two of the Thomasville Rescue Squad search and rescue dogs by visiting www.res5cue.com or mail checks in the name of Thomasville Rescue Squad to P.O. Box 934, Thomasville, NC, 27361 and put "K-9 fund" in the memo line. A local Zumba instructor also will be having a fundraiser for the efforts for the dogs' medical costs at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Thomasville Rescue Squad's headquarters at 211 Pine St. For more information, contact the rescue squad at 472-7520.

Carver, a Border Collie who was certified by the Federal Emergency Management Association for disaster rubble rescue, died of injuries he sustained at the residence of his handler in southern Forsyth County after two pit bulls attacked the 4-year-old dog. Foxi, a two-and-a-half year old Belgian Malanois, was released Friday after undergoing surgery as a result of an injury she suffered about a month ago while in a training session.

"I think the mood is pretty somber," said Scott McCaskill, assistant chief of the Thomasville Rescue Squad. "These dogs were members of the (Thomasville Rescue Squad) family."

The loss of Carver means Thomasville Rescue Squad has eight dogs, including Foxi who is expected to recover from her injuries. Carver was the only dog trained in rubble rescue.

Thursday, Carver was in his fenced backyard when one pit bull got over the fence and another dug under the fence, McCaskill said. The assistant chief said both of the pit bulls "viciously" mauled Carver. Carver died around noon at an emergency veterinarian hospital in Greensboro.

McCaskill declined to released the identity of Carver's handler.

"It's not going to be easy for the handler," he said. "They were tightly bonded."

The assistant chief said the pit bulls are in the custody of the Forsyth County Animal Shelter. McCaskill also declined to comment on his hopes for the future of the case.

"I know there is a law on the books," he said. "I'll leave that with the law enforcement to deal with that as the law requires."

Forsyth County Animal Shelter Director Tim Jennings said the dogs would be euthanized late Monday evening or Tuesday morning. Animal control officers, the director said, are reviewing the case to determine possible charges against the owner of the dogs, Antonio Nowell.

"It's clearly a human responsibility that those dogs got out," he said.

Jennings said there was another incident in late January in which the dogs attacked another animal. The owners of that animal didn't want to immediately press charges but in March agreed to testify against Nowell, the director said. Jennings said Nowell was informed the dogs were being labeled as dangerous. Nowell was required to build a kennel to house the dogs.

"It's an unfortunate situation," Nowell said in a phone interview. "We don't raise our dogs to fight. … I complied with animal control and built the pins."

Nowell apologized for the death of the rescue squad dog.

"I have tried everything to keep those dogs in," he said. "They were just puppies. … I'm willing to make restitution and make things right. I don't want to be portrayed as a bad dog owner."

Nowell said he got a chain-linked fence after the first incident and the dogs dug from underneath of it to get out. He said he previously the dogs enclosed with chicken wire, but they climbed up the fence to get out.

Meanwhile, Foxi was involved in a training accident when she twisted a leg. She was taken to a local veterinarian, and later had surgery at the veterinarian school of N.C. State University. Thursday's surgery went well and she is expected to return for duty late this summer.

Jay Whiteheart is Foxi's handler. Foxi, an air scent dog, is trained to find lost people.

McCaskill said the handlers pay for the upkeep of the animals. He said the cost for Foxi's medical bills are likely going to end at about $5,000. McCaskill also is expecting a big bill to be issued for Carver's stay at the emergency veterinarian hospital.

Residents can help with the costs for the dogs by visiting www.res5cue.com or mail checks in the name of Thomasville Rescue Squad to P.O. Box 934, Thomasville, NC, 27361 and put "K-9 fund" in the memo line. A local Zumba instructor also will be having a fundraiser for the efforts for the dog's medical costs at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Thomasville Rescue Squad's headquarters at 211 Pine St. For more information, contact the rescue squad at 472-7520.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or at darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.

<p>A Thomasville Rescue Squad search and rescue dog died Monday and another one is on the mend after unrelated incidences occurred this past week.</p><p>Carver, a Border Collie who was certified by the Federal Emergency Management Association for disaster rubble rescue, died of injuries he sustained at the residence of his handler in southern Forsyth County after two pit bulls attacked the 4-year-old dog. Foxi, a two-and-a-half year old Belgian Malanois, was released Friday after undergoing surgery as a result of an injury she suffered about a month ago while in a training session.</p><p>"I think the mood is pretty somber," said Scott McCaskill, assistant chief of the Thomasville Rescue Squad. "These dogs were members of the (Thomasville Rescue Squad) family."</p><p>The loss of Carver means Thomasville Rescue Squad has eight dogs, including Foxi who is expected to recover from her injuries. Carver was the only dog trained in rubble rescue. </p><p>Thursday, Carver was in his fenced backyard when one pit bull got over the fence and another dug under the fence, McCaskill said. The assistant chief said both of the pit bulls "viciously" mauled Carver. Carver died around noon at an emergency veterinarian hospital in Greensboro.</p><p>McCaskill declined to released the identity of Carver's handler. </p><p>"It's not going to be easy for the handler," he said. "They were tightly bonded."</p><p>The assistant chief said the pit bulls are in the custody of the Forsyth County Animal Shelter. McCaskill also declined to comment on his hopes for the future of the case.</p><p>"I know there is a law on the books," he said. "I'll leave that with the law enforcement to deal with that as the law requires."</p><p>Forsyth County Animal Shelter Director Tim Jennings said the dogs would be euthanized late Monday evening or Tuesday morning. Animal control officers, the director said, are reviewing the case to determine possible charges against the owner of the dogs, Antonio Nowell.</p><p>"It's clearly a human responsibility that those dogs got out," he said.</p><p>Jennings said there was another incident in late January in which the dogs attacked another animal. The owners of that animal didn't want to immediately press charges but in March agreed to testify against Nowell, the director said. Jennings said Nowell was informed the dogs were being labeled as dangerous. Nowell was required to build a kennel to house the dogs.</p><p>"It's an unfortunate situation," Nowell said in a phone interview. "We don't raise our dogs to fight. … I complied with animal control and built the pins."</p><p>Nowell apologized for the death of the rescue squad dog. </p><p>"I have tried everything to keep those dogs in," he said. "They were just puppies. … I'm willing to make restitution and make things right. I don't want to be portrayed as a bad dog owner."</p><p>Nowell said he got a chain-linked fence after the first incident and the dogs dug from underneath of it to get out. He said he previously the dogs enclosed with chicken wire, but they climbed up the fence to get out.</p><p>Meanwhile, Foxi was involved in a training accident when she twisted a leg. She was taken to a local veterinarian, and later had surgery at the veterinarian school of N.C. State University. Thursday's surgery went well and she is expected to return for duty late this summer.</p><p>Jay Whiteheart is Foxi's handler. Foxi, an air scent dog, is trained to find lost people.</p><p>McCaskill said the handlers pay for the upkeep of the animals. He said the cost for Foxi's medical bills are likely going to end at about $5,000. McCaskill also is expecting a big bill to be issued for Carver's stay at the emergency veterinarian hospital.</p><p>Residents can help with the costs for the dogs by visiting www.res5cue.com or mail checks in the name of Thomasville Rescue Squad to P.O. Box 934, Thomasville, NC, 27361 and put "K-9 fund" in the memo line. A local Zumba instructor also will be having a fundraiser for the efforts for the dog's medical costs at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Thomasville Rescue Squad's headquarters at 211 Pine St. For more information, contact the rescue squad at 472-7520.</p><p>Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or at darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.</p>